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Most people believe that tap water cannot be harmful to health. However, both technology and human factors play a role in water distribution – and they can fail. What risks do you face with contamination and how can you protect yourself against the hidden dangers of drinking water?
To begin with, it should be said that drinking tap water in the Czech Republic is generally recommended as safe. Buying bottled water here is completely unnecessary, and often this water does not match the quality of that from waterworks. Long-term consumption of mineral water is also not beneficial to health, nor is the consumption of distilled water. It is precisely water from waterworks that has the optimal amount of dissolved minerals, which are important for the human body.
Nevertheless, it is good to be cautious, because even the most strictly monitored water can be contaminated under certain circumstances. Such contamination is usually not detectable by the senses; the water may not be visibly cloudy or smell. Only a professional water analysis can reveal all hidden risks.
Water from waterworks can be chemically, mechanically, or microbially contaminated, with microorganisms posing the greatest danger to human health. Investing in suitable filters and disinfectants for drinking water is therefore appropriate. If you also draw water from your own sources, its treatment is absolutely necessary for your health.
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Do you know what you're really drinking?
Even though the quality of drinking water in the Czech Republic is strictly monitored, infections and local epidemics are not entirely uncommon even today. Sources of drinking water can be contaminated primarily by human and animal feces, which contain dangerous microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Feces can enter drinking water sources, for example, during pipe failures, wastewater treatment plant malfunctions, floods, or heavy rains. Feces can seep into wells and boreholes from leaking septic tanks. Own water sources can also be contaminated by dead animals, as well as agricultural fertilizers and industrial pollution.
Up to 90% of waterborne epidemics in the Czech Republic originate from private water sources. The remaining 10% attributed to public water sources is not negligible either. A well-known case occurred in May 2015, when up to 2,600 people in Prague were seriously poisoned by tap water. The cause was a simple pipe failure.
Microbially contaminated water poses the greatest risk to the health of people and domestic animals. The most common consequence of contamination is acute gastroenteritis, which can be caused by various microorganisms in the water, especially coliform bacteria. Infections with viral hepatitis A are also not uncommon. Water poisoning manifests as acute diarrheal disease, often accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, general weakness, and fever. Many viruses and bacteria can cause life-threatening conditions. Particularly vulnerable groups include young children, the elderly, and chronically ill people or those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, such an infection can endanger the fetus.
Infections occur not only through the consumption of contaminated water but also through skin abrasions, when washing dishes or food that is subsequently consumed.
The quality of drinking water in the Czech Republic is monitored by the National Institute of Public Health according to standards set by Decree No. 252/2004. This state body is responsible for protecting the water source itself, water treatment in waterworks, and protecting the water during its transport to the end consumer.
You can also disinfect water at home, especially if you draw it from your own sources. There are chemical and physical disinfection methods. The most well-known and common method of disinfection is the use of chlorine, which is also harmful in higher concentrations. A much healthier and more environmentally friendly method is disinfection using special UV lamps. Boiling for at least one minute is also an effective way to disinfect water, but due to its low efficiency, it is more of a one-time solution. If your own water source has been contaminated, do not forget to clean the well or borehole and check the sealing of the septic tank.
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In agricultural areas, the quality of groundwater is lower.
The risk of chemical contamination of water is particularly high in the case of private sources in industrial and agricultural areas, where increased amounts of nitrates, nitrites, pesticides, and other pollutants are found in the soil and groundwater. These substances are proven carcinogens and are especially dangerous for infants.
In tap drinking water, chlorine, small amounts of heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic), and residues of medicines, drugs, and hormonal contraceptives, which wastewater treatment plants cannot effectively remove, are commonly found. Although the amount of these substances is usually within limit values, they pose a long-term health risk. Many people are also allergic to chlorine and develop a rash after bathing in this water.
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Water filter Honeywell
Mechanical contamination, on the other hand, poses minimal risk to human health, but it is appropriate to monitor the concentration of solid particles in the water. They are most commonly found in water from private sources, which typically contains sand, etc. Microplastics are also demonstrably present in all water sources. Small mechanical impurities settle in the intestines, which is obviously not optimal for the function of the digestive system.
The good news is that mechanical impurities can be easily removed from drinking water using water filters. A water filter with activated carbon can handle most chemical impurities and dissolved harmful substances, and also improves the smell and taste of the water. Filtration jugs and bottles represent a modern and effective solution for the daily treatment of drinking water in households. These systems use advanced filtration technologies, including activated carbon, which works on the principle of adsorption. Activated carbon has an exceptionally large surface area and, thanks to its microporous structure, can effectively capture organic and inorganic substances, such as heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) or chemical compounds including pesticides, nitrates, and nitrites.
Another common technology used by these filters is ion exchange resins. These resins change the ions of harmful substances in the water to less dangerous ions, for example, removing calcium and magnesium, which contributes to softening the water. This process not only improves the overall quality of the water but also prevents the deposition of limescale, which is especially important in areas with hard water.
In addition to eliminating chemical substances, filters also remove the unpleasant smell and taste of chlorine, which is commonly used for disinfecting water in municipal water supplies. Chlorine can negatively affect the organoleptic properties of water in higher concentrations, so its removal is key to improving the taste and odor properties of water. Overall, filtration jugs and bottles not only significantly increase the safety of water but also ensure its pleasant taste and aroma, which is essential for the comfort of daily hydration.
Since sudden contamination of drinking water cannot usually be detected in time, it is definitely appropriate to invest in prevention, especially in filters and home water treatment systems. Only then can you be sure that your water will always be safe and healthy.
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